Corporacion America Airports Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Corporacion America Airports (CAAP) reported Q3 2024 results showing a 4.2% decline in consolidated revenues ex-IFRIC12 to $404.7 million. Passenger traffic decreased 3.9% to 21.3 million, while cargo volume increased 4.4% to 96.8 thousand tons. Operating Income fell to $100.9 million from $131.7 million in 3Q23, and Adjusted EBITDA ex-IFRIC12 decreased 15.9% to $145.4 million. The company maintained a strong financial position with $510.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, and Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA improved to 0.9x from 1.4x in December 2023.

Positive

• Strong cash position of $510.9 million
• Improved Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA ratio to 0.9x from 1.4x
• 4.4% increase in cargo volume to 96.8 thousand tons
• 124% increase in domestic passenger use fees in Argentina effective November 1

Negative

• 4.2% decline in consolidated revenues ex-IFRIC12 to $404.7 million
• 3.9% decrease in passenger traffic to 21.3 million
• 15.9% decrease in Adjusted EBITDA ex-IFRIC12 to $145.4 million
• Operating Income declined 23.3% to $100.9 million
• 68.4% decrease in Net Income to $14.7 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 2024 results reveal mixed performance with concerning trends. Revenue ex-IFRIC12 declined 4.2% YoY to $404.7 million, while Adjusted EBITDA ex-IFRIC12 fell 15.9% to $145.4 million. The EBITDA margin contracted significantly from 40.9% to 35.9%.

Key positives include a strong liquidity position with $510.9 million in cash and a healthy leverage ratio of 0.9x Net Debt/EBITDA. The recent 124% increase in domestic passenger fees in Argentina should provide some revenue support going forward.

However, operational metrics show weakness with passenger traffic down 3.9% and aircraft movements declining 4.3%. The Argentina business faces significant macroeconomic headwinds impacting domestic travel and operating costs, though this is partially offset by better performance in Uruguay, Brazil and Italy.

Market Research Analyst

The geographical diversification strategy is proving important but showing limitations. While the portfolio approach helps mitigate country-specific risks, the significant exposure to Argentina continues to weigh on overall performance. The 6.6% decline in commercial revenues is particularly concerning, as it indicates weakening consumer spending patterns.

The recent regulatory approval for increased passenger fees in Argentina represents a positive catalyst, but structural challenges remain. The company's focus on commercial revenue enhancement through infrastructure investments (new parking facility in Uruguay, duty-free expansion in Argentina) demonstrates a proactive approach to revenue diversification.

Diversified airport portfolio partially mitigated soft performance in Argentina resulting in a 4.2% decline in consolidated revenues ex-IFRIC12

Solid cash position totaling $511 million with Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA at 0.9x

LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corporación América Airports S.A. (NYSE: CAAP), (“CAAP” or the “Company”) one of the leading private airport operators in the world, reported today its unaudited, consolidated results for the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024. Financial results are expressed in millions of U.S. dollars and are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

Commencing 3Q18, the Company began reporting results of its Argentinean subsidiaries applying Hyperinflation Accounting, in accordance with IFRS rule IAS 29 (“IAS 29”), as detailed in Section “Hyperinflation Accounting in Argentina” on page 22.

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Consolidated Revenues ex-IFRIC12 of $404.7 million, decreased 4.2% year-over-year (YoY), reflecting decreases of 6.6% and 1.5% in Commercial Revenues and Aeronautical Revenues, respectively. Excluding rule IAS 29, consolidated revenues ex-IFRIC12 decreased 4.8% YoY to $404.6 million.
• Key operating metrics:
  • 3.9% decrease in passenger traffic to 21.3 million. Excluding Natal, passenger traffic decreased 1.5% YoY.
  • 4.4% increase in cargo volume to 96.8 thousand tons.
  • 4.3% decrease in aircraft movements, or 2.4%, excluding Natal.
• Operating Income of $100.9 million, down from $131.7 million in 3Q23.
• Adjusted EBITDA ex-IFRIC12 decreased 15.9% to $145.4 million, from $172.9 million in the year-ago period. Excluding rule IAS 29, Adjusted EBITDA ex-IFRIC12 decreased 21.4% to $144.8 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin ex-IFRIC12 of 35.9% compared to 40.9% in 3Q23, or 35.8% compared to 43.3% when excluding rule IAS 29.
• Strong cash position with Cash & Cash equivalents totaling $510.9 million as of September 2024.
• Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA stood at 0.9x as of September 30, 2024, from 1.4x as of December 31, 2023.

CEO Message

Commenting on the results for the quarter Mr. Martín Eurnekian, CEO of Corporación América Airports, noted: “Our third-quarter results reflect the strength of our geographically diversified portfolio, which has enabled us to mitigate the macroeconomic challenges we faced in Argentina with positive performance in other regions. Revenues ex-IFRIC declined 4% year-over-year, in line with lower passenger volumes. Adjusted EBITDA saw a mid-teen decline from last year, driven mainly by Argentina’s macroeconomic challenges, which continued to impact domestic travel demand and operating costs. The weaker performance in duty-free sales this quarter was expected, as last year’s figures benefited from a favorable FX environment. By contrast, our operations in Uruguay, together with Brazil and Italy (ex one-off in 3Q23), demonstrated resilience and delivered strong growth and positive contributions to our EBITDA, reflecting the strength of our broader portfolio.

Our cash flow generation and healthy balance sheet provide a solid foundation, positioning us well to continue to support our operations and pursue strategic opportunities. We are progressing with the approvals for the Capex program in Armenia and the master plan for Florence Airport in Italy, while actively assessing new projects across different geographies. We are also undertaking several investment projects to further enhance commercial revenues, including a new covered parking facility at Carrasco Airport in Uruguay and the expansion of the duty-free area at Ezeiza Airport in Argentina.

I would like to take the opportunity to update on one recent event in Argentina. Effective November 1, the regulator approved a 124% increase, in nominal ARS, in the domestic passenger use fees applicable in AA2000, which will bolster our revenues.

Looking ahead, signs of stabilizing macro conditions, along with the recent increase in domestic passenger use fees, provide a more favorable environment. I would also like to highlight the strong international passenger numbers recorded in October.

Our long-term strategy remains unchanged. We will continue to deploy capital with discipline, investing in our operations to drive significant growth while opportunistically looking for accretive acquisition opportunities.”

Operating & Financial Highlights
(In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted)
	3Q24 as reported	3Q23 as reported	% Var as reported	IAS 29 3Q24	3Q24 ex IAS 29	3Q23 ex IAS 29	% Var ex IAS 29
Passenger Traffic (Million Passengers)	21.3	22.2	-3.9%		21.3	22.2	-3.9%
Revenue	461.8	469.5	-1.6%	-1.0	462.8	473.7	-2.3%
Aeronautical Revenues	213.5	216.8	-1.5%	-0.5	214.1	218.7	-2.1%
Non-Aeronautical Revenues	248.3	252.7	-1.8%	-0.5	248.8	255.0	-2.4%
Revenue excluding construction service	404.7	422.5	-4.2%	0.1	404.6	424.9	-4.8%
Operating Income / (Loss)	100.9	131.7	-23.3%	-24.6	125.6	152.4	-17.6%
Operating Margin	21.9%	28.0%	-618	0.0%	27.1%	32.2%	-503
Net (Loss) / Income Attributable to Owners of the Parent	14.7	46.5	-68.4%	11.6	3.1	29.7	-89.6%
EPS (US$)	0.09	0.29	-68.5%	0.07	0.02	0.18	-89.6%
Adjusted EBITDA	146.3	172.7	-15.3%	0.6	145.6	184.0	-20.9%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	31.7%	36.8%	-511	-	31.5%	38.9%	-738
Adjusted EBITDA Margin excluding Construction Service	35.9%	40.9%	-498	-	35.8%	43.3%	-756
Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA	0.9x	1.6x	-	-	-	-	-
Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA excl. impairment on intangible assets (1)	1.0x	1.6x	-	-	-	-	-
Note: Figures in historical dollars (excluding IAS29) are included for comparison purposes.
1) LTM Adjusted EBITDA excluding impairments of intangible assets.

Operating & Financial Highlights
(In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted)
	9M24 as reported	9M23 as reported	% Var as reported	IAS 29 9M24	9M24 ex IAS 29	9M23 ex IAS 29	% Var ex IAS 29
Passenger Traffic (Million Passengers)	58.5	60.4	-3.2%		58.5	60.4	-3.2%
Revenue	1,369.9	1,273.8	7.5%	82.3	1,287.6	1,288.9	-0.1%
Aeronautical Revenues	659.1	590.0	11.7%	42.9	616.2	596.2	3.4%
Non-Aeronautical Revenues	710.7	683.8	3.9%	39.4	671.4	692.7	-3.1%
Revenue excluding construction service	1,213.2	1,136.2	6.8%	73.9	1,139.3	1,145.5	-0.5%
Operating Income / (Loss)	336.0	344.0	-2.3%	-35.8	371.9	402.5	-7.6%
Operating Margin	24.5%	27.0%	-248	-	28.9%	31.2%	-235
Net (Loss) / Income Attributable to Owners of the Parent	244.9	147.6	66.0%	-176.5	421.4	82.9	408.1%
EPS (US$)	1.52	0.92	65.9%	-1.10	2.62	0.52	407.8%
Adjusted EBITDA	469.3	464.1	1.1%	36.4	432.9	476.9	-9.2%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	34.3%	36.4%	-218	-	33.6%	37.0%	-338
Adjusted EBITDA Margin excluding Construction Service	38.5%	40.7%	-215	-	37.8%	41.5%	-363
Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA	0.9x	1.6x	-	-	-	-	-
Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA excl. impairment on intangible assets (1)	1.0x	1.6x	-	-	-	-	-
Note: Figures in historical dollars (excluding IAS29) are included for comparison purposes.
1) LTM Adjusted EBITDA excluding impairments of intangible assets.

To obtain the full text of this earnings release and the earnings presentation, please click on the following link: http://investors.corporacionamericaairports.com/Results-Center

3Q24 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

When:	10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, November 21, 2024
Who:	Mr. Martín Eurnekian, Chief Executive Officer
	Mr. Jorge Arruda, Chief Financial Officer
	Mr. Patricio Iñaki Esnaola, Head of Investor Relations
Dial-in:	1-800-549-8228 (North America, Toll Free); 1-289-819-1520 (Other locations); Conference ID: 35738
Webcast:	CAAP 3Q24 Earnings Conference Call
Replay:	1-888-660-6264 (North America, Toll Free); 1-289-819-1325 (Other locations); Playback Passcode: 35738 #

Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

This announcement includes certain references to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA excluding Construction Service and Adjusted EBITDA Margin excluding Construction service, as well as Net Debt:

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income for the period before financial income, financial loss, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total revenues.

Adjusted EBITDA excluding Construction Service (“Adjusted EBITDA ex-IFRIC”) is defined as income for the period before construction services revenue and cost, financial income, financial loss, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin excluding Construction Service (“Adjusted EBITDA Margin ex-IFRIC12”) excludes the effect of IFRIC 12 with respect to the construction or improvements to assets under the concession and is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA excluding Construction Service revenue and cost, by total revenues less Construction service revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA excluding Construction Service and Adjusted EBITDA Margin excluding Construction Service are not measures recognized under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, consolidated net income for the year as determined in accordance with IFRS or as indicators of our operating performance from continuing operations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information and should note that these measures as calculated by the Company, may differ materially from similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding Construction Service enhances an investor’s understanding of our performance and are useful for investors to assess our operating performance by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding Construction Service are useful because they allow us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period without regard to our financing methods, capital structure or income taxes and construction services (when applicable).

Net debt is calculated by deducting “Cash and cash equivalents” from total financial debt.

Figures ex-IAS 29 result from dividing nominal Argentine pesos for the Argentine Segment, by the average foreign exchange rate of the Argentine Peso against the US dollar in the period. Percentage variations ex-IAS 29 figures compare results as presented in the prior year quarter before IAS 29 came into effect, against ex-IAS 29 results for this quarter as described above. For comparison purposes, the impact of adopting IAS 29 in Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, the Company’s largest subsidiary in Argentina, is presented separately in each of the applicable sections of this earnings release, in a column denominated “IAS 29”. The impact from “Hyperinflation Accounting in Argentina” is described in more detail page 22 of this report.

Definitions and Concepts

Commercial Revenues: CAAP derives commercial revenue principally from fees resulting from warehouse usage (which includes cargo storage, stowage and warehouse services and related international cargo services), services and retail stores, duty free shops, car parking facilities, catering, hangar services, food and beverage services, retail stores, including royalties collected from retailers’ revenue, and rent of space, advertising, fuel, airport counters, VIP lounges and fees collected from other miscellaneous sources, such as telecommunications, car rentals and passenger services.

Construction Service revenue and cost: Investments related to improvements and upgrades to be performed in connection with concession agreements are treated under the intangible asset model established by IFRIC 12. As a result, all expenditures associated with investments required by the concession agreements are treated as revenue generating activities given that they ultimately provide future benefits, and subsequent improvements and upgrades made to the concession are recognized as intangible assets based on the principles of IFRIC 12. The revenue and expense are recognized as profit or loss when the expenditures are performed. The cost for such additions and improvements to concession assets is based on actual costs incurred by CAAP in the execution of the additions or improvements, considering the investment requirements in the concession agreements. Through bidding processes, the Company contracts third parties to carry out such construction or improvement services. The amount of revenues for these services is equal to the amount of costs incurred plus a reasonable margin, which is estimated at an average of 3.0% to 5.0%.

About Corporación América Airports

Corporación América Airports acquires, develops and operates airport concessions. The Company is a leading private airport operator in the world, currently operating 52 airports in 6 countries across Latin America and Europe (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Armenia and Italy). In 2023, Corporación América Airports served 81.1 million passengers, 23.7% above the 65.6 million passengers served in 2022 and 3.6% below the 84.2 million served in 2019. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where it trades under the ticker “CAAP”. For more information, visit http://investors.corporacionamericaairports.com

Forward Looking Statements

Statements relating to our future plans, projections, events or prospects are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “potential,” “remain,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the Covid-19 impact, delays or unexpected casualties related to construction under our investment plan and master plans, our ability to generate or obtain the requisite capital to fully develop and operate our airports, general economic, political, demographic and business conditions in the geographic markets we serve, decreases in passenger traffic, changes in the fees we may charge under our concession agreements, inflation, depreciation and devaluation of the AR$, EUR, BRL, UYU or the AMD against the U.S. dollar, the early termination, revocation or failure to renew or extend any of our concession agreements, the right of the Argentine Government to buy out the AA2000 Concession Agreement, changes in our investment commitments or our ability to meet our obligations thereunder, existing and future governmental regulations, natural disaster-related losses which may not be fully insurable, terrorism in the international markets we serve, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates. The Company encourages you to review the ‘Cautionary Statement’ and the ‘Risk Factor’ sections of our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 and any of CAAP’s other applicable filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information concerning factors that could cause those differences.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120315251/en/

Investor Relations Contact

Patricio Iñaki Esnaola

Email: patricio.esnaola@caairports.com

Phone: +5411 4899-6716

Source: Corporación América Airports

FAQ

What was CAAP's revenue performance in Q3 2024?

CAAP reported consolidated revenues ex-IFRIC12 of $404.7 million in Q3 2024, representing a 4.2% decrease year-over-year.

How much cash did CAAP have at the end of Q3 2024?

CAAP maintained a strong cash position with Cash & Cash equivalents totaling $510.9 million as of September 2024.

What was CAAP's passenger traffic in Q3 2024?

CAAP's passenger traffic decreased 3.9% to 21.3 million passengers in Q3 2024 compared to the same period last year.

What was CAAP's Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA ratio in Q3 2024?

CAAP's Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA stood at 0.9x as of September 30, 2024, improving from 1.4x as of December 31, 2023.